Updated / Tuesday, 13 Apr 2021
12:48
Filippo Giovagnoli is coach and Shane Keegan team manager at Dundalk
Dundalk need to make an instant managerial change or risk mid-table obscurity according to RTÉ Soccer analyst Paul Corry, who says he feels for their long-serving players as their dominance continues to ebb away.
The Lilywhites have made a disastrous start to the season, losing three out of four matches, and they were fortunate to take a point on the opening day against Sligo Rovers when late on the Bit O Red could have won it but for a disputed offside call.
Despite major investment in imports such as Han Jeongwoo, Jesus Perez, Sam Stanton and Sonni Nattestad, Filippo Giovagnoli s side have looked a shadow of the side which challenged for and won five league crowns in the last decade.
Sligo Rovers took the lead in the 82nd minute. By Jessica Farry Saturday 10 Apr 2021, 8:13 PM 6 hours ago 2,495 Views 2 Comments
Sligo’s John Mahon with Sean Hoare of Rovers after the game.
Image: Tommy Dickson/INPHO
Image: Tommy Dickson/INPHO
AN 88TH MINUTE own goal earned Shamrock Rovers a late point at The Showgrounds, just six minutes after Sligo Rovers took the lead.
Walter Figueira’s speculative shot somehow went under the Hoops goalkeeper Alan Mannus on 82 minutes to give the hosts the lead.
But, the Bit O’Red were under pressure to defend their lead in the dying minutes, and were undone when Rory Gaffney’s ball was sent into the home net by defender John Mahon.
Long-range strikes hand Shamrock Rovers victory over Dundalk the42.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from the42.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The result will quickly fade from memory but a President’s Cup meeting between these sides was always going to be competitive and had no chance of being friendly.
With shots fired over the off-season after Dundalk dismissiveness of Rovers’ 18-game league win and Seán Hoare and Seán Gannon relocating to Tallaght there was always going to be an edge regardless of who was on the pitch or on the sideline.
Unsurprisingly there were incidents that got Dundalk ‘coach’ Filippo Giovagnoli up off his feet in his position on the bench, while ‘team manager’ Shane Keegan paraded the touchline ahead of him.
Watch: Dundalk take President s Cup after shoot-out rte.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from rte.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.